Feeler mechanism for looms



I. SNOW.

EEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS. APPLICATION FILEDIUNE 11. I920.

1,396,669. Patented Nov. 8, 1921.

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' K18 84AM N ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC snow; or LAWRENCE, unssaonusnrrs, assrenon T DR-APEB conronlrrroiv, or ermann, MASSACHUSETTS, a'conrona'rron or MAINE.

' FEELEB MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

i Application filed June 11,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ISAAC SNOW, a citizen ofthe United States, and a resident of Law rence, county ofEssex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feeler Mechanism for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts. I

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms whereby replenishment offilling is efiected when that in the shuttle becomes substantially exhausted during weaving. Several ty es of feeler mechanisms have heretofore een suggestedtoeifect replenishment of filling, and among these is that type known as the side-swipe feeler mechanism. The present invention is more particularly directed to this type of feeler mechanism whereby the sensitivenessof the feeler both to the presence and substantial absence of filling on a detecting beat, is such that filling replenishment will not be called unless the filling has approached the desired degree of substantial exhaustion.

In the practical development of the present invention, the feeler which feels through the side of the shuttle for thefilling on each detecting beat, is mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and also ina direction longitudinally of the shuttle, and a feeler controlling cam is mounted 'in relation to the feeler such that when the feeler moves frontwardly on a detecting beat with a working supply of filling in the shuttle, the feeler controlling cam is moved by the feeler, but when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat andthe feeler moves fr-outwardly, the feeler controlling cam serves to impart to the feeler a lateral or side-swipe movement as it moves frontwardly, and such lateralor side-swipe movement is utilized in efl'ectmg replenish ment of filling.

Another feature of the invention consists in a feeler and its feeler controlling cam whichfltends to .impart a side-swipe movement of the feeler as the latter moves front wardly and is prevented from effecting such side-swipe movement until substantial exhaustion of filling by engagement of the filling with the feeler on a. detecting beat.

Under the last named conditions, the feeler controlling cam is itself moved from its Specification of Letters Yatent.

Patented Nov. 8.1921.

1920. Serial No. 388,274.

normal position by the front wardly moving feeler and inasmuch as the leverage of the feeling action on the feeler is shortened, as the 'feeler movesfrontwardly, a spring is connected to the feeler to assist the filling in holding the feeler from side-swipe movement in response to the feeler controlling cam. The spring is so related to the feeler that as the feeler moves frontwardly on its pivotal support, and the leverage between the filling and pivotal support of the feeler is shortened, the spring is progressively increased in tension to resist the lateral displacing action of the feeler controlling cam. The above and other novel features and combination of parts will best be made clear from the following description and accompanying drawing of one good practical form of the invention. u 'In thedrawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the feeler mechanism showing the action of the feeler and its associated parts when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 showing the action of the feeler mechanism when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the feeler and its associated parts.

The replenishing mechanism may be of any usual character and since it is well understood bythose familiar with this class of machines, it is not deemed necessary to illustrate or describe it,.and only so much of the loom frame is shown as is necessary to make clear the construction and mode of operation of the feeler mechanism itself.

The, loom frame at the feeler side of the loomis provided with a bracket 1 which may, as usual, be adjustably secured to an arm extending from the usual shipper stand. The bracket 1 has an upper horizontal supporting portion 2 onwhich is adjustably secured the feeler stand 3. Adjustability of the feeler stand relative to the supporting bracket may be variously effected as, for instance, by the set screws 4 and slot 5 formed in the feeler stand.

The feeler stand 3 extends rearwardly and a feeler 6 is pivotally mounted thereon for movement toward and from the front of the loom, and also in a direction longitudi nally of the shuttle or laterally. In the present instance of the invention the feeler 6 has a slot 7 through which passes the pivot 8 which may be formed as a pin or studextending upwardly from the feeler stand 3. The feeler 6 has its rear end provided with teeth or a roughened surface 9 which is adapted to engage the filling or surface within the shuttle on each detecting beat.

Mounted for engagement by the feeler as the latter moves frontwardly, is the feeler controlling cam which acts upon the feeler with a tendency to impart thereto a lateral movement or a movement longitudinally of the shuttle as the feeler moves frontwardly on a detecting beat. In the present instance of the invention the feeler controlling cam consists of a block 10 having a slot 11 through which passes the pin or bolt 12. The feeler stand 3 is utilized to provide a convenient support for the feeler controlling cam, and in the present instance the stand 3 is provided with a projecting portion 13 on which the feeler controlling cam may move. The projection 3 is provided with an upwardly extending portion 14: through which extends a stem 15 which is connected to the feeler controlling cam. A

spring 16 is interposed between the portion 14 of the projection and the feeler controlling cam, the tendency of the spring 16 being to normally hold the feeler controlling cam in its initial or operative position, as in dicated in Figs. 2 and 3, where the feeler controlling cam occupies a position to be engaged by the feeler as the latter moves front- Wardly.

Thefeeler controlling cam has an inclined or cam portion 17 which is adapted to be engaged by a part carried. by the feeler the latter moves frontwardly, and in the present'instance the feeler 6 is provided with a recessed portion 18 the rear wall 19 of which is inclined or formed as a cam surface to cooperate with the cam surface or incline 17 on the feeler controlling cam, the construction being such that when the feeler is in its normal feeling position, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, and it is moved frontwardly, the tendency of the feeler controlling cam inclinedsurface 17 is to impart to the feeler movement longitudinally of the shuttle.

The feeler hasconnected to it, preferably at its front end portion, a spring which acts in opposition to the displacing tendency of thefeelercontrolling cam upon the fe'eler as the latter moves frontwardly. In the present instance the feeler has connected to it at 20 a rod 21 which passes through an opening in an arm 22' extending from the feeler stand, and a spring 23 1s interposed between the collar 24 secured to the rod 21,

and the rear surface ofthe arm 22, as indicated'in Figs. 1 and 2. The rod 21 is preferably inclined relative to a movement of the lay orfrontwardmovement of the feeler,

so that as the feeler is moved frontwardly on a detecting beat, the spring 23 will be progressively increased in tension and act in opposition to the displacing influence of the feeler controlling cam. This action of the spring 23 in opposition to the displacing influence of the feeler controlling cam assists the filling in the shuttle in resisting the action of the feeler controlling cam when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting heat, and the progressively increasing tension of the spring 23 is in substantial proportion to the decreasing holding effect of the filling against the feeler as the feeler moves frontwardly and shortens the lever arm between the pivotal support 8 and the rear end 9 of the feeler.

Suitable stops 24 and 25 are formed on the feeler stand 3 for limiting the lateral movements of the feeler.

The shuttle 26 contains the filling carrier 27 and has an opening 28 in its side wall through which the feeler extends as the lay heats up. The shuttle box, asusual, has a corresponding opening in the front wall thereof, but this feature is not herein shown because it is usual in this class of looms.

When a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat, the frontward pressure of the filling upon the feeler moves the latter frontwardly and resists lateral movement of the feeler. As the feeler continues its frontward movement from the position in Fig. 3 to that in Fig. 1, the feeler controlling cam acting at one side of the pivotal support of the feeler, tends to move the feeler laterally but is itself moved laterally under such conditions by the frontwardly moving feeler. As the feeler moves frontwardly when a working supply of filling is present, the spring 23, acting upon the front end portion of the fceler, assists the holding effect of the filling upon the feeler against its lateral movement under the action of the feeler controlling cam, as indicated in Fig. 1.

When, however, the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, the tecler moves frontwardly as before, and the feeler controlling cam, acting upon. the feeler at such times, effects a lateral or side-swipe trolling cam is displaced from its normal position by the frontwardly moving feeler, the transmitter 29 moves the train of mechanisminto an inoperative relation, but when the controlling cam fails to be moved or displaced by the frontwardly moving feeler,as in Fig. 2, on a detecting beat, the transmitter 29 fails to inoperatively relate the train of mechanism and filling replenishmentis called.

= a The train of mechanism for effecting reloom and also in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, a feeler controlling cam which tends to move the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat as the feeler moves frontwardly, a spring which acts on the feeler in opposition to the feeler controlling cam as the feeler moves frontwardly and effects displacement of the cam by the feeler when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat. i i

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler. which is mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and also in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, a feeler controlling cam which tends to move the feeler longitudinally ofthe shuttle on a detecting beat as the feeler moves frontwardly, a spring which acts with progressively increasing force on the feeler in opposition to the feeler controlling cam as the feeler moves frontwardly and effects displacement of the cam by the feeler when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and also in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, a feeler controlling cam yieldingly mounted and having an incline which reacts upon the feeler as the latter moves frontwardly and effects lateral displacement of the feeler when thefilling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat and effects lateral displacement of the controlling cam itself when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat, and a spring which is connected to the feeler to act in an inclined direction on the feeler and, in opposition to the feeler controlling cam as the feeler is moved frontwardly.

4. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, a feeler, a pivotal support for the feeler with respect to which it may move laterally and toward and from the front of the loom, a feeler controlling cam which acts upon the feeler at one side of its pivotal support tending to turn the feeler laterally as the feeler moves frontwardly on a detecting beat and which is prevented from effecting such lateral movement by engagement of the feeler with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, and a. spring which acts upon the feeler in opposition to the controlling cam and assists the filling in preventing lateral movement of the feeler responsive to the controlling cam when a working supply is present on a detecting beat.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, a feeler controlling cam mounted to act upon the feeler andmove it laterally when the filling is substantially exhausted as the feeler is moved frontwardly on a detecting beat, a spring acting on the feeler in opposition to the feeler controlling cam as the feeler moves frontwardly and effecting displacing movement of the feeler controlling cam by the feeler when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat.

6. A-feeler mechanism for looms comprising, in combination, a feeler, a pivotal sup port for the feeler with respect to which it may move laterally and toward and from the front of the loom, a feeler controlling c'am which acts upon the feeler at one side of its pivotal support tending toturn the feeler laterally as the feeler moves frontwardly on a detecting beat and which is prevented from effecting such lateral movement by engagement of the feeler with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, and a springwhich is connected to the feeler and acts with progressively increasing force in opposition to the controlling earn as the feeler is moved frontwardly relative to its pivotal support and the holding effect of the filling becomes less.

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler which is mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and also in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, a feeler controlling cam slidably mounted adjacent the feeler and having an incline adapted to be engaged by the feeler as the latter moves frontwardly and which tends to move the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat, the feeler controlling cam being constructed and arranged to have a sliding movement imparted thereto relatively to the feeler by frontward movement of the feeler on a detecting beat until the filling is substantially exhausted, and means operatively connected to said controlling cam to effect replenishment of fillingwhen upon a detecting beat the feeler fails to move the controlling cam.

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

. combination of a feeler which is mounted for feeler as the latter moves frontwardly and which tends to move the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle. on a detecting beat, the feeler controlling member being constructed and arranged to have a sliding movement imparted thereto relatively to the feeler by frontward movement of the feeler on a detecting beat until the filling is substantially exhausted, and means operatively connected to said controlling member to effect replenishment of filling when upon a detecting beat the feeler fails to move the controlling member. V

9. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in'combination, a feeler which is pivotally mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and also in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, a spring connected to the feeler to act upon it in a direction inclined to the feeling position of the feeler and adapted to move the feeler rearwardlyand longitudinally of the shuttle to the normal feeling position, a feeler displarier yieldingly acting upon the 'feeler betweenthe spring and the pivotal support of the feeler-to move the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle in opposition to said spring but prevented from effecting such movement by engagement of the feeler with the filling until the filling is substantially exhausted, and means for effecting replenislnnent of filling upon movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle by the displacer.

10. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, a feeler, a pivotal support for the feeler with respect to which the feeler may swing laterally and move toward and from the front of the loom, a spring for urging the feeler rearwardly to its feeling position and arranged to swing the fceler about its pivotal support, and a feeler controlling cam which acts upon the feeler at a point between the feeler pivot and the connection between the feeler and spring, and tends to turn the feeler about its pivotal support in opposition to the turning force of said spring but which is prevented from effecting such turning movement of the feeler by engagement of the feeler with the filling until substantial exhaustion of the filling.

11. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler pivotally supported for movement toward and from the front of the loom and in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and having a cam surface frontward of its pivotal support, a cam normally engaged with the cam surface of the feeler when the latter is in feeling position and tending to move the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat, and a spring normally acting upon the feeler in opposition to the cam as the feeler moves frontwardly.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

' ISAAC SNOW. 

